Asean Travel And Tours

Tourists play with water as they celebrate the Songkran holiday which marks the Thai New Year in Bangkok, Thailand, April 13, 2024. Photo by Reuters Many tourists have canceled visits to Bangkok during Songkran in mid-April in the Thai capital due to safety concerns after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar shook Southeast Asia. Adith Chairattananon, secretary general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said there is a 20% drop in Chinese tourist arrivals during the Thai New Year compared to last year, Nation Thailand reported. All charter flights from Chengdu City have been canceled, he added. The Thai government has said the Songkran celebrations, a week-long public water fight meant for ritual cleansing, starting in mid-April would go ahead as planned in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and other locations. Industry insiders have urged the government to quickly take action to head off public fears. Myanmar's strongest earthquake in 100 years on March 28 sent tremors across Bangkok ...

Tourists use their smartphones to capture images of a passing train at Hanoi's Train Street, November 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Giang The Hanoi Department of Tourism has requested travel agencies not to organize tours to the popular Train Street amid growing safety concerns. The department also requires travel agencies to raise awareness among their staff about the risks of traffic accidents in areas where train street cafes operate. Additionally, relevant authorities need to proactively coordinate to detect, prevent and promptly address violations in accordance with regulations. Train Street, lined with makeshift coffee shops just feet from the tracks in the Old Quarter, was officially closed in September 2022 due to safety concerns. Despite barricades and checkpoints at both ends of Tran Phu and Phung Hung streets, several cafes continue to operate, drawing large crowds of mostly foreign tourists, especially on weekends. Thousands flock to the place to photograph passing tra...

Visitors on Mui Ne beach in south central Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Viet Quoc The recently approved master planning scheme for Mui Ne National Tourist Area in south central Binh Thuan province is set to transform it into an internationally recognized tourism hub, positioning it as a top destination in the Asia-Pacific by 2050. The plan envisions developing Mui Ne into a global tourism center, fueling economic growth and boosting the competitiveness of tourism in both Binh Thuan Province and Vietnam. The area, spanning 14,760 ha, includes key locations in Phan Thiet City, Bac Binh District, and Tuy Phong District. With modern, sustainable infrastructure at its core, the plan prioritizes green spaces, cleanliness, and the preservation of the region's cultural, historical, and natural landmarks. It is conformable with Vietnam's Tourism Development Strategy for 2030 and Binh Thuan's tourism goals for 2021-2030, ensuring the protection of Mui Ne's unique heritage. The deve...

Tourists wait to check in for flights at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 4, 2023. Photo by Reuters Thailand plans to reduce the visa-free stay duration from 60 days to 30 days for travelers from eligible countries, aiming to curb misuse of the scheme by individuals involved in illegal businesses. Sorawong Thienthong, Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, said authorities have reached an agreement in principle to implement the reduction, as reported by the Bangkok Post. This measure targets citizens from 93 countries and territories currently allowed visa-exempt entry for tourism. According to the Khmer Times, despite the current allowance of up to 60 days, tourists typically spend at most 21 days in Thailand on average. The decision follows concerns expressed by the Association of Thai Travel Agents regarding an increasing trend of foreigners illegally taking up employment under the guise of tourism.

Women dressed in traditional Thai costumes eat ice creams shaped like tiles of the famous Wat Arun temple, or Temple of Dawn, in Bangkok, July 8, 2023. Photo by Reuters Thailand was the only Southeast Asian representative in a list of world's 10 best solo travel destinations this year, according to a new report by private guided luxury travel service Kensington. Countries like India and Thailand ranked highly because of the history and culture they have to offer, the report said. Thailand has long been famous for its golden pagodas, friendly locals and favorable visa policy. Known for its captivating culture, vibrant culinary landscape, and breathtaking natural beauty, Thailand stands out as a premier destination for solo travelers. India ranked No.1, followed by Italy and Japan. Rounding out the top 10 solo travel destinations were Egypt, Thailand, Australia, Spain, Iceland, France, and New Zealand. The report is based on insights from "affluent" travelers, drawing from ...

Thai tourists wearing traditional ao dai pose for photos in northern Vietnam. Photo by Cao Ngoc Son Indonesia, Thailand, and India are Vietnam's top tourism markets, with satisfaction levels from these countries being the highest in Asia, according to a recent report. The Net Promoter Score (NPS), which measures satisfaction, willingness to continue using a service, and the likelihood of recommending it to others, was 51 for Indonesians, 49.3 for Thais, and 39 for Indians, based on a survey of 4,000 tourists from eight Asian destinations conducted by market research and data analytics firm Outbox Company. The regional average for Asia was 26. Outbox reported that visitors from these countries not only expressed high satisfaction with their experiences in Vietnam but also tended to recommend the country positively to friends and relatives. "This was a positive signal for the tourism industry," the company said in a press release. It recommended that the tourism industry cr...

The six-story commercial centre at 7 Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street will be replaced with underground space extending beneath the existing square and its expanded area. The commercial centre building in Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục Square in Hoàn Kiếm District, commonly known as the ‘Shark Jaw’ building. — VNA/VNS Photo HÀ NỘI — The Hà Nội People's Committee has backed a proposal to demolish the commercial centre building in Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục Square in the historic Hoàn Kiếm District, commonly known as the ‘Shark Jaw’ (Hàm Cá Mập) building. The six-story commercial centre at No.7 Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, completed in 1993 and currently hosting a range of cafes and restaurants and clothing shops, will be replaced with underground space extending beneath the existing square and its expanded area.  This initiative aims to enhance the planning, organisation and architectural landscape of Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục Square, a symbolic landmark of Hà Nội in this downtown centre and tourist hot spot. Vice Cha...